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World Sight Day: Eye Health Is Also About Independence, Connection and Wellbeing
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
8 October 2026
AAMHP supports World Sight Day 2026 and calls for eye health, accessibility and psychological wellbeing to be considered together
The Australian Association of Mental Health Practitioners (AAMHP) is supporting World Sight Day 2026, encouraging Australians to prioritise eye health while also recognising the psychological and social impact that vision loss can have on individuals and families.
Led internationally by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, World Sight Day is observed this year on 8 October under the continuing campaign #LoveYourEyes.
The 2026 campaign places particular emphasis on personal stories, lived experience and community action, while calling for eye care to be accessible to everyone who needs it.
AAMHP Secretary Susan Sandy said conversations about vision should extend beyond eyesight alone.
“Changes in vision can affect much more than what somebody can see. They can influence confidence, independence, mobility, work, relationships and the ease with which someone stays connected to the world around them.” [Susan Sandy]
“For someone adjusting to significant vision loss, there may also be grief, anxiety or uncertainty about what life will look like next. Those psychological experiences deserve to be recognised alongside the practical and medical aspects of care.” [Susan Sandy]
The World Health Organization reports that adults with vision impairment can experience higher rates of depression and anxiety, while vision impairment among older adults can also contribute to social isolation, reduced mobility and a greater risk of falls.
In Australia, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing reports that more than 13 million Australians have at least one long-term eye condition, based on national health survey data. Common conditions associated with vision loss include cataracts, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
AAMHP Chair Shane Warren said World Sight Day is also an opportunity to think about accessibility and participation.
“Wellbeing is closely connected with our ability to participate in life to work, move through our communities, maintain relationships and continue doing the things that give life meaning.” [Shane Warren]
“When environments, services or technology are inaccessible, people living with blindness or low vision can become unnecessarily excluded. Sometimes the problem is not the person’s vision; it is the barriers we have failed to remove around them.” [Shane Warren]
Vision Australia similarly identifies inaccessible transport, public spaces and digital environments as factors that can contribute to isolation for people who are blind or have low vision. It also highlights the value of peer connection, accessible technology and opportunities to maintain social participation.
AAMHP encourages Australians to use World Sight Day as a reminder to attend to eye health, seek appropriate professional eye care when needed, and consider the broader wellbeing of people experiencing changes in vision.
Mental-health practitioners can also play an important role by recognising the emotional consequences of vision loss and, where appropriate, connecting clients with specialist vision, rehabilitation and community services.
Susan Sandy said support should focus on capability as well as loss.
“People adjusting to vision change may need space to acknowledge what has changed, but they should never be defined only by what they can no longer do. Good support helps people retain connection, confidence, choice and participation.” [Susan Sandy]
On World Sight Day, AAMHP joins the international call to #LoveYourEyes and supports efforts to make eye care, information and community participation more accessible.
Good vision care protects more than sight. It can help protect independence, connection and quality of life.
Media Contact:
Shane Warren, Chair
Susan Sandy, Secretary
Philip Armstrong, CEO
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